Sony closing Music Unlimited, forges partnership with Spotify

On Wednesday Sony revealed plans to launch a new Spotify-powered music streaming service on the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and on Xperia smartphones and tablets.

The new streaming music platform – called PlayStation Music – will require a paid Spotify premium membership and is the first time Spotify has launched on a video game console.

As a result of Sony’s new agreement with Spotify, the company’s lacklustre Music Unlimited service will cease operations in 19 countries on March 29, and “nearly all” of those countries will get access to PlayStation Music. According to Sony, this includes “41 markets around the world” such as Canada, Mexico and Brazil. However, it’s likely any country that currently doesn’t have Spotify available will also not be able to access PlayStation Music.

As the pictures says, Spotify love PlayStation. [Sony]

Sony says PlayStation music will be “deeply integrated” into the PlayStation experience and will bring 30 million songs and 1.5 billion playlists to the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation 4.

PS4 owners will be able to stream Spotify content while playing games enabling them to, “soundtrack gaming sessions.”

“Music is a core component of the entertainment offering that consumers expect from Sony,” said Sony’s Andrew House, the company’s CEO.

“This partnership represents the best in music and the best in gaming coming together, which will benefit the vibrant and passionate communities of both Spotify and PlayStation Network. We’re thrilled to make Spotify the foundation of our strategy with PlayStation Music.”

If you’re already a Spotify subscriber, you’ll be able to link your existing account to PlayStation Music and also subscribe to Spotify Premium via the console’s PlayStation Network wallet.

Since modern Sony smartphones are Android based, Spotify has been available on the company’s Xperia mobile devices for some time now.

It’s currently unclear if users will need to be a PlayStation Plus subscriber – which costs $49.99 – in order to access PlayStation Music. Users with an active Music Unlimited Subscription will receive 30 days free of the service.